The corrosion of Zr(Fe, Cr)₂ and Zr₂Fe secondary phase particles in Zircaloy-4 under 350ºC pressurised water conditions

Annand, K., Nord, M., MacLaren, I. and Gass, M. (2017) The corrosion of Zr(Fe, Cr)₂ and Zr₂Fe secondary phase particles in Zircaloy-4 under 350ºC pressurised water conditions. Corrosion Science, 128, pp. 213-223. (doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2017.09.014)

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Abstract

Using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) coupled with Dual Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (DualEELS) and scanned diffraction, the corrosion and incorporation of Secondary Phase Particles (SPPs) in the oxide layer of Zircaloy-4 material has been investigated. This study focuses on mapping the corrosion of Zr₂Fe and Zr(Fe, Cr)₂ precipitates during the oxidation process and depicting their morphology as the oxidation front advances through the material. It has been found that Zr₂Fe SPPs retain the same general shape as in their pre oxidation stage, and transform to a nanocrystalline homogeneous mixed oxide, with a strong crystallographic texture, but hitherto unknown structure. The Zr(Fe, Cr)₂ Laves-phase SPPs however, oxidise in a notably more complicated manner. As the α-Zr around an SPP begins to oxidise, the SPP is completely encapsulated by the ZrO₂ whilst much of the SPP remains initially unoxidised. But, on oxidation, significant elemental segregation takes place, usually leaving a Cr₂O3-rich cap, a nanocrystalline Zr,Cr mixed oxide body and veins of well-crystallised metallic iron. Both forms of SPP have a different expansion on oxidation compared to the Zr, resulting in cracking of the ZrO₂.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:ANNAND, Kirsty June and MacLaren, Dr Ian and Nord, Dr Magnus
Authors: Annand, K., Nord, M., MacLaren, I., and Gass, M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Corrosion Science
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0010-938X
ISSN (Online):1879-0496
Published Online:13 September 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors
First Published:First published in Corrosion Science 128: 213-223
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
642131Doctoral Training Grant 2013 - 2017Mary Beth KneafseyEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/L50497X/1RSI - RESEARCH STRATEGY & INNOVATION